Story Yard
Honoring Our Veterans at Norfolk Southern

This Veterans Day, Norfolk Southern proudly honors the dedication and service of the men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation and now play a vital role in moving our railroad forward.

From our rail yards to our offices and everywhere in between, more than 2,200 active-duty and veteran employees—representing 11% of our workforce—bring their values of leadership, teamwork, and commitment to work every day. Their unique experiences strengthen our operations and embody the spirit of excellence that defines Norfolk Southern.

As part of our unwavering commitment to supporting veterans throughout the year, NS is honored to be recognized as a Military Friendly® company and to be named to the 2024 Military Times Best for Vets: Employers list.

Meet eight of the veterans powering progress across our railroad below.

 

Tara Hogan 
Road Supervisor 
Kansas City, Missouri  
Joined NS in 2023 

What motivated you to join the armed services? 
I came from a small town, my family wasn’t rich, and I wanted to go see the world. Joining the military provided the opportunity to have new experiences, meet new people, and go to school. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and do something good, so I decided to join the U.S. Air Force.  

Tell us about your military service. 
I joined in July 1996 right after graduating high school. After bootcamp, I went to Mississippi and completed tech training. Incredibly, my first station was in Hawaii at Hickam AFB. During my time there, I worked in the Intel division where I decoded top secret messages for the military. I focused on starting my bachelor’s, learned to surf, and eventually became a police officer. After four years, the base commander and Senator recommended me to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. There, I continued my education at the academy, but I left after two years and was honorably discharged after six years of service.  

What brought you to Norfolk Southern? 
I love being a railroader. In my previous role, I worked my way up in transportation management at another Class I railroad. After 16 years, I ended my career there as a General Manager. I moved to Kansas City with my family and was able to land a job at NS. I am grateful to secure my railroading benefits and started as a management trainee in August 2023. Everyone at NS is outstanding. I am enjoying the ride and the direction we are headed.  

Tell us about your current role at NS. 
I am currently working with people who move railcars. My day-to-day work involves managing freight logistics within my territory while ensuring a safe, operational environment for the team. My favorite part of my job is the camaraderie of my colleagues at NS. I also enjoy being face-to-face with customers and providing quality service.  

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS? 
I enjoyed being in the Air Force. It prepared me for the real world. Most of all I learned how to be adaptable, which has helped me personally and professionally. Military life prepares you to tackle the elements and about being prepared - no matter what happens. My time in the Air Force also encouraged me to live authentically. Throughout my time in the service, there was a ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. Ultimately, I knew I needed to have peace of mind because I wanted to have a family. Looking back, it was tough stepping away from it all but now I am proud of the life now with my two kids which makes it all worth it. 

 

Fulton Hunt
Engineer
Norris Yard; Irondale, Alabama
Joined NS in 2005

What motivated you to join the armed services?
I grew up as a military brat and I lived all over the world. My father served in the U.S. Army for 20 years in Air Defense working with the PATRIOT missile systems.

When 9-11 happened, it was time for me to put my boots on and do my part. I joined the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard.

Tell us about your military service.
I’ve spent my career in the field of fuels. I am responsible for the whole logistics part of fuel. I make sure the planes have safe, clean fuel so they can perform optimally.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
I was looking through G.I. Jobs and saw that Norfolk Southern was a top employer. I didn’t know much about railroading at the time. The Norris Yard was located close to where I lived. I was hired as a conductor before getting promoted to engineer.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
As an engineer, I am responsible for safely picking up freight and delivering it to our customers. I travel between Birmingham; Meridian, Mississippi; and Chattanooga.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
My service prepared me to make independent decisions in unpredictable situations. I’m able to better think outside of the box to come up with solutions.

 

Chris Jones  
Technology Engineer 
Atlanta 
Joined NS in 2015 

What motivated you to join the armed services? 
When I was young, I grew up playing soldier in the yard. Back then, we played outside, and we were active kids with big imaginations. When it came time to decide what to do after high school, my friend and I decided to sign up for the U.S. Marine Corps.   

Tell us about your military service. 
I started my career in Intel working in a CH-46 Squadron. I prepared and presented intelligence briefs for combat missions and flying missions as part of the flight crew. I was able to see the world and go to places I never thought of. I traveled to the Middle East, exploring terrains and cultures in countries like Turkey, Kuwait, Dubai, Iraq, and Africa. It was a life-changing experience, it was all about honor, respect and values. Life was simple and you built strong friendships with other Marines in the service.  

What brought you to Norfolk Southern? 
After the military, I worked as a government contractor, deploying back to a combat zone to support the Marines. I had a family and went back to school where I became an EMT working in the Atlanta area. A few years after, I received an IT certification and started working at AirWatch and maintained a career in information technology. I joined NS in 2015, working in IT and my responsibilities were supporting PC – LAN operations.   

Tell us about your current role at NS. 
My current role is working in IT as a Technology Engineer. My responsibilities include troubleshooting, managing, and supporting all mobile devices specifically iPhones and iPads.  

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS? 
The military teaches discipline, especially in the Marines. I appreciate how simple life was being in the service. Most of all, the Marines prepared me to adapt in an ever-changing environment. My experience helped my mindset and afforded the adaptability to move in a different direction whenever needed.  

 

Jason Millett 
Group Manager, Operations Intelligence  
Atlanta 
Joined NS in 2008 

What motivated you to join the armed services? 
I grew up in a small town where college felt out of reach financially. One day, I saw a Marine recruiter at my high school and heard about the opportunities the military offered, including the GI Bill for college. I decided to join the Marines. Back then, I was a skinny kid, and many of my friends doubted I’d make it through boot camp. Every time I wanted to quit, I thought about proving them wrong, which motivated me to push through.

Tell us about your military service. 
I enlisted in the Marines in 1996, beginning an eight-year period of active duty. After bootcamp, I became a Stinger Missile Gunner. My first assignment was in Okinawa, Japan at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in 1997. After returning to the U.S. in 1998, I reenlisted in 2000 and transitioned to a new role in Light Armored Vehicles in 2001. I was then stationed at Camp Pendleton and in 2003, I deployed with the 4th LAR Battalion’s LAV Air Defense Platoon to Iraq for seven months. After completing my active-duty enlistment at Camp Pendleton I was honorably discharged in 2004. A year later, I joined the Air Force Reserves as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, with assignments across bases in Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and finally, Georgia, where I became a First Sergeant. I retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Senior Master Sergeant in April 2022, finishing a 24-year career I’m very proud of.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern? 
I joined NS in 2008 as a Trainmaster through the Operations Supervisor Training program, which I balanced alongside my time in the reserves. After a year in operations, I transferred to Decatur, IL, where I began working in IT as a Field Tech. This role marked the beginning of my transition into the tech side of the business. I later moved into Marketing IT, working at the Marketing Help Desk, and eventually advanced into roles involving analytics, reporting, and data analysis first in the NPO and now in Enterprise Resources. This evolution has been rewarding, allowing me to combine my skills with my interest in data and technology.

Tell us about your current role at NS. 
I’m a Group Manager in Operations Intelligence, where I analyze operational data from across the network to support decision-making and performance improvements. Beyond my day-to-day work, I’m also the Chair of the Teradata User Group and co-chair for the Veterans Employee Resource Group. I’m passionate about supporting our veterans and contributing to a collaborative environment at NS.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS? 
Marine boot camp was one of the toughest experiences of my life, but it taught me resilience, mental toughness, and self-discipline. There were times I wanted to quit, but the desire to prove myself was stronger. The experience shaped me profoundly, instilling values like professionalism, organization, and attention to detail that have stayed with me throughout my career. The military also taught me how to work effectively in diverse teams and adapt to rapidly changing situations—skills that are essential in my role at NS. As a veteran, I take pride in doing my best, helping others, and bringing that sense of dedication and service into my work every day.  

 

Mayra Moreno
Senior Manager, Income Tax
Atlanta
Joined NS in 2016

What motivated you to join the armed services?
I joined the U.S. Navy primarily to fund my college education and to see the world. It was an incredible opportunity to fulfill both aspirations. Through my service, I was able to use the G.I. Bill to cover my education costs and had the privilege of visiting multiple continents, enriching my life experiences significantly.

Tell us about your military service.
During my time in the Navy, I served as a Logistics Specialist, where I was responsible for providing supply support to various forward-deployed ships, ranging from small cruisers to aircraft carriers, as well as military sealift commands and naval air stations. This role required meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that our operations had the necessary resources to succeed under any circumstances.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
After my military service, I sought to join a company that values veterans, and Norfolk Southern’s reputation for being veteran-friendly stood out to me. I started as a tax accountant in 2016, drawn by the company’s commitment to supporting veterans and their career development.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I currently serve as a Senior Manager of Income Taxes, focusing primarily on federal income tax matters. My role involves overseeing the preparation and review of tax provisions and returns, ensuring compliance, and assisting on tax planning to optimize our company’s financial performance. I also have the privilege to serve as the treasurer of the VeteraNS ERG.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
My military service instilled in me a unique perspective and the ability to remain composed in stressful situations. The diversity and intensity of the military environment taught me the importance of teamwork and trusting my colleagues, which I try to apply daily in my role at NS. These experiences have been invaluable in managing complex projects, fostering a collaborative team dynamic and being receptive and encouraging of multiple different perspectives when approaching different situations.

 

Jason Morris
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Atlanta
Joined NS in 2010

What motivated you to join the armed services?
A desire to serve something greater than myself and have a different college experience.

Tell us about your military service.
I started as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1997. My first assignment was a special duty assignment as a Minority Enrollment officer in the Admissions office at the Academy traveling around the Midwest talking about the Academy and the Air Force. After that, I trained and transitioned into a role as a Manpower and Quality Management Officer, where I focused on requirements determination, wartime analytics, performance management, and continuous improvement and innovation initiatives.  I then transitioned from active duty to the Virginia Air National Guard, where I served as a logistics officer with a REDHORSE squadron. During this time, I deployed to Iraq where our unit constructed FOB Hammer for the surge, and I served on the unit’s Combat Logistics Patrol team.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
The culture of the Law department.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I serve as the Chief Legal Officer, which includes oversight over the company’s legal, government relations, corporate secretary, compliance, risk management, claims and environmental protection functions.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
It gave me the opportunity to lead in a variety of circumstances, gain a broader perspective and collect experiences that have helped me better understand myself and loved ones.

 

Devon Muse
Information Security Consultant
Atlanta
Joined NS in 2022

What motivated you to join the armed services?
I joined the U.S. Air Force to fund my education and to travel. I was able to do both very successfully. I served from 2008-2014.

Tell us about your military service.
I was an airplane mechanic on the KC-10. It was a great job but tough at times due to the demanding physical nature of the work. I was also fortunate to be able to travel to all corners of the earth and experience things at a young age that I would not have been afford the privilege. I also made lifelong friendships.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
The values of NS really stuck with me. Do the right thing ties into my core values with the USAF. I felt a strong connection when I read the values of NS. I also was looking for something different for my career and railroads piqued my interest.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I’m currently an Information Security Consultant. I serve as a liaison for all client interactions with Information Security with IT and lines of business. I coordinate all communication on behalf of security to ensure all projects are secure and move forward for NS.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
My service prepared me to be flexible. It gave me the tools to lead and handle pressure. Communication is another great tool I was given.

 

Eric Oliver
Regional Superintendent, Norfolk Southern Police Department
Chicago
Joined NS in 1996

What motivated you to join the armed services?
I needed some direction in my life, and I needed to take a break from going to school. It was time for change, I wanted/needed to see something different in my life.

Tell us about your military service.
I was in the 15th Security Police Squadron in the U.S. Air Force, now called Special Forces. I was stationed at Hickam AFB in Hawaii for 4 years and then Whiteman AFB in Missouri for a year before getting out to become a member of the NSPD. I had a great time in the Air Force. I started my family while in the Air Force. I was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces Powerlifting team for a year. I was a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), which is the equivalent to the SWAT team in civilian terms. I had a line number to be selected for Staff Sergeant prior to getting out in April 1996.

What brought you to Norfolk Southern?
The opportunity presented itself and I jumped on it. I was actually on a waiting list for the Chicago Police Department, and I was still going through the hiring process for the Illinois State Police when NS called and presented me with an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Tell us about your current role at NS.
I started as a special agent, and I am currently the Northern Region Superintendent of the NS Police Department. I am responsible for the Northern Region of the NS, which includes eight states and encompasses a large portion of the NS footprint in this country. I make sure that the Northern Region has everything needed to perform their duties safely and effectively on a daily basis.

How did your military service prepare you for a career at NS?
The Air Force instilled discipline and integrity in me. In the military, I was responsible for millions of dollars of equipment to include fighter jets. Here at NS, I am responsible for our assets, property, and employee’s safety. Both the Air Force and NS are very important in their own way, but the priorities and missions are different. The Air Force is where I first recognized that I had the ability to be a leader. It’s also where other people showed me that I needed to pursue more leadership roles in my career. I think everyone should serve for a period of their life until you know who you are and what you want to do.